Portfolio



E. G. ALLEN;

PORTFOLIO. 1

Patented Oct. 26, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT rica.

EDWARD O. ALLEN, OF AUGUSTA, MAINE.

PORTFOLIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,558, dated October 26. 1826.

Application filed April 17, 1886. Serial No. 199,205.

To on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD O. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Augusta, in the county of Keunebec and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portfolios and Methods of Manufacturing the Same; and I do declare-the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the Same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to portfolios; and the object of my invention is to construct a portfolio which may when nearly completed be rolled or folded into a compact package, so that it may easily and cheaply be transmitted by mail or otherwise.

My invention consists of a pair of light frames,over which is secured apiece of enamel cloth or other fabric having one or more flaps for protecting the edges, the Whole forming when put together a light and strong portfolio.

The invention further consists in the peculiar construction of the corners of the frame, whereby unusual strength is secured,and also in the system or method of manufacture, where by the portfolio is partially constructed and finished so far as possible, and stillis capable of being rolled or folded into compact form for transmission, and then completed after it reaches its destination by means of parts previously fitted and prepared and by the use of the simplest mechanical operations.

In certain classes of businessas in selling prints, engravings, &c., where the goods are carried about and from house to houseit has been found necessary to provide a portfolio in which to place said goods, so as to keepthem compact and preserve them from damage. These portfolios as now made are quite costly; and the object of the present invention is to provide av neat, light, cheap, and strong device that will answer the desired ends; also to so prepare and arrange the several parts of which the device is made that in a partlyconstructed shape they can be rolled together into a compact form for transmission by mail, express, or otherwise to the user, who, on re-' (No model.)

of these pieces are mitered and joined together by means of the triangular hard-wood cornerpieces B. A longitudinal slit, b, is first sawed I in the corner of the frame, and into this slit the corner-piece B is inserted in such a way as to come flush with theouter edge ofthe frame. The corner-pieces B are first coated with pre pared glue, which is moistened when the corners are put together. A piece of enamel cloth or other suitable fabric, 0, preferably water-proof, is now tacked to the two frames in such a manner that they may be shut together face to face, the cloth forming a hinge between the two frames. An interior space is thus formed equal to twice the thickness of the two frames, and into this space a large number of prints can be placed and the portfolio shut tight,so that they are completely protected even without the use of flaps D D, which may be provided. \Vhen flaps are used, they are provided with loopsd and buttons 01.

In manufacturing my portfolio I prepare all the parts completely finished, tacking the pieces a a of the frame in their exact position on the cloth. I then roll the end pieces, a a, the angle-pieces B B, whose surfaces have previously been coated with prepared glue, to" gether with a small paper of taeks,into a compact bnndie which can readily be slipped into 'a mailing-roll or otherwise done up. (See Fig.

ping these pieces B B into the slots 1) b. The cloth is then tacked to the end pieces, a a, which completes the frame.

The person completing the portfolio has only to perform the simplest sort of mechanical operation,so that any person with a tack-hammer or any other device for driving tacks can complete the article without difficulty.

The article herein described may be used to advantage in houses, stores, &c., where the ordinary portfolio is now used, in which case the covering would not be of water-proof fabric, but might be made of ornamental bookbinders cloths, which might be secured to the frame by glue.

I claim- 1. A portfolio composed of the following parts, namely: a body or cover of enamel cloth or analogous materiahend pieces permanently attached thereto. prepared but unattached side pieces, and angle-pieces, all fitted for ready adjustment with each other and adapted to be inclosed and rolled up in said cover for transportation, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. A portfolio consistingof twoindependent stiflening-frames, each being composed of side pieces and end pieces suitably joined together at their ends,said frames being covered on one side by enamel cloth or other like material, and being practically hinged together at adjacent edges by said covering to form a portfolio, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A portfolio consisting ofa piece ofenamel cloth orother analogous material,provided on one side with a pair of stiffening-frames, secured thereto side by side with an intervening space, and adapted to be folded to bring the frames into juxtaposition, substantially as described.

4. A portfolio consisting of a pair of stiffening or skeleton frames suitably connected or hinged together at adjacent edgesand each covered at one side with enamel cloth or other flexible material, and adapted to be folded to bring their sides intoj uxtaposition and provide a portfolio or case, substantially as described.

5. A portfolio constructed as described and comprising the following parts, namely: abody or cover of enamel cloth or other analogous material, and a stiffening frame, of which the parallel sides are attached tl1ereto,the remaining parts of said framebeing prepared and unattached, all fitted for ready adjustment with each other, and adapted to be incloscd and rolled up in said cover for transportation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWVARD C. ALLEN.

Witnesses:

S. W. BATES, SAMUEL W. LANE. 

